(19)

(11)

EP 1 440 564 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.07.2004 Bulletin 2004/31 (21) Application number: 02788586.2 (22) Date of filing: 22.10.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04N 1/58 (86) International application number: PCT/JP2002/010934 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/036939 (01.05.2003 Gazette 2003/18)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 26.10.2001 JP 2001329205 (71) Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC. Tokyo 100-0005 (JP)	(72) Inventor: ITO, TsukasaC/o Konica Minolta Photo Imaging Inc Hino-shi,Tokyo,191-8511 (JP) (74) Representative: Nicholls, Michael John  J.A. KEMP & CO.,14, South Square,Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ London WC1R 5JJ (GB)